I think all you guys thinking that the 9 pick will be a tweener OLB prospect are reaching a bit..
Look at the roster at linebacker prospects.
Poppinga
Bishop
Hunter
Thompson
Monty - if he resigns.
Chillar
Kampman
Barnett
Hawk
There are plenty of pieces to work with there.. to find someone that can get the job done.
Now look at two other positions on the roster..
OT.
Cliffy
Colledge - If you slide Colledge over.. which he should be, then the gap at Guard becomes larger.
Barbre
Tauscher - Resign?
Or Defensive line..
Pickett
Jolly ????
Harrell ????
Jenkins
Malone?
Combine that with BPA theory and I don't think Maybin, Brown, Orakpo or any other of those edge players will fit that bill.
How many of these high draft pick edge players really turn out to be the outstanding edge players.
Suggs, Ware and Merriman... Players like Harrison, Woodley, Scott and so forth were later round picks.. hell Harrison was cut by the Steelers how many times?
Will we add talent at LBer.. I hope so, but if we are going to draft players at particular positions.. somehow I don't think backers are going to fit.
DT, DE or Oline... yep.. maybe even a corner that can play in space..
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"